A Different Kind of Exercise Equipment Review

We know that virtually every American with a TV has been subject to hundreds if not thousands of home gym, fitness and exercise equipment commercials over the years, almost to the point of burnout. Is there anyone who hasn't seen a couple hundred Bowflex commercials?

As a result of being exposed such advertising, many people will make a decision to purchase, or at least investigate the purchase of a home gym or other piece of exercise equipment. And many of these same people will be shocked at some of the prices they may find. But, because they are committed to getting in shape and losing weight, the proceed to seek out fitness and exercise equipment reviews, so as not to spend their hard earned money on a piece of inferior equipment, or a flat out ripoff.

While there are probably a million or more "Exercise Equipment Reviews" on the world wide web, I am going to take a different approach! First you are probably aware that most reviews are really little more than advertisements, designed to get you to purchase a particular piece of equipment. Now there is nothing wrong with this, and I am in not way trying to cut into anyone's profits here. But here are some things I would consider before purchasing an expensive home gym or any other piece of fitness equipment. I should know, I have purchased my share of workout equipment over the past 15 to 20 years.

Question, do you want to get in shape and lose weight, or do you want the temporary good feeling and excitement you will get from the purchase, deliver, set up, and initialy use of you new piece of equipment? I am not trying to be funny, I am dead serious. Because I can assure you that the two are only very slightly related. How so you ask?

The cost of a new piece of equipment, the size or complexity of a new piece of equipment, the brand name of a new piece of exercise equipment, or even the particular type of exercise equipment will have little to do with you getting in shape and losing weight. What will determine your success in reaching your weight loss & fitness goals, will be your ability to develop a workout habit, not what type, or brand of equipment you purchase.

Are you buying this new home gym with the idea that your spouse is going to let you set it up in the living room, bedroom, office, or family room? Ooh, sorry for getting personal but this is something you really should get worked out now. I speak from much experience in this area. By the way these are excellent areas to set up you gym, if you can because you are much more likely to actually use it. Are you planning to set it up in the garage? If so, good luck on that workout 6 months from now, in the dead of winter, when it gets dark at 4:30 pm.

Are you sure a set of dumbbells won't fill your needs for workout equipment right now? My entire home gym for about 2 years was a single set of 25 lb dumbbells. They fit right under the sofa in the TV room, and I used them virtually every single day of my life for 2 years. I still have the same pair, and still use them almost every day.

Are you still convinced that you have to own the home gym that provides "over 70 club quality excercises on one machine." Can I be honest with you? It is highly unlikely you will ever do more than about 10 to 15 different exercises with your home gym. The last thing I need is to be trying to do 70 different exercises.

Here are my simple rules for buying exercise equipment: I will never again buy any piece of equipment that requires electricity, they break (for me this includes treadmills, did that twice.) The simpler they are and the less moving parts, the better. If you are going to have to put your new home gym or equipment on the back patio, garage, or an out building I would consider saving my money. You will likely only use it for a month or two before you lose interest. Not trying to be negative, just speaking from experience.

Instead, buy 4 sets of dumbbells and put a set in say the bedroom, living room, TV room, and maybe one on the back patio. You will be far more likely to get your monies worth and actually develop a workout habit. Excellent!